Someone official has said: GO. Leave your home. NOW. Do you know the five most important things to grab if you had to suddenly evacuate? It can be hard to think straight when the pressure is on and you need to be prepared. We’re taking a break from the #LetResilienceArise series to help give tips to people near a huge hurricane about to hit Texas and Louisiana.
Here’s a short video (click HERE) with great tips depending on how much time you have to pack and be prepared:
I’m really hoping you or someone you love doesn’t need these, but I often get asked what do I wish I had grabbed, and so have developed resources for families before, and after, a natural disaster strikes.
Before you leave:
1. Video your home – even if it’s roughly done, open every closet and main area and video it all. Be sure to include walls and finishes in case you have to rebuild your home. This will help greatly if you have an insurance claim. It can be hard to remember the details if you’ve had a shock.
2. Key documents and records – hopefully you’ve got your critical records like birth records, marriage certificate, etc. in one location. Having an up-to-date filing system will help you greatly on the other side of things if you have a loss.
3. Contact information – bring something with phone numbers for key people. Often your mobile devices and computers will be enough, but you’ll treasure being in touch with caring people. Make sure at least one other person outside the area knows where you have gone. Communications often fail when there’s a large emergency and your friends can be a single point of contact as you assess what’s happened.
4. Emergency accommodations – if you are out of your home and need a hotel, they will often offer “fire” or “emergency” rates to help with evacuated families. Just ask the manager. Try to stay at least an hour from where the emergency has occurred as it can take time for emergency crews to establish a safe perimeter.
5. Momentos – be sure to take at least a few things that mean a lot, like a certain quilt, or photos, grandma’s silver spoon. Having a little bit of something special can make all the difference later on.
Finally, be safe. Listen to the authorities. Trust your eyes and ears. Sometimes the media can be far behind the actual events and swirling winds that lead up to a wildfire. Or waters that rise very quickly in a flood. And my good wishes go with you and yours.
I have free detailed packing lists in my products page (HERE). Simply click on the images on the products page, and you can use your phone or print them as references to grab a few key items quickly. 
For more information about how to live with loss and tips to survive as a family, see ElizabethVanTassel.com. To learn about our fire story, see our website at MakeUsSmile.com.
If you know media or agencies that need a survivor’s perspective please use the contact sheet to get in touch HERE. If you are wondering how to help others who may be impacted by this storm or others, check this blog post HERE. And for best practices in recovery, check the products area HERE for The Bridge, a guide through to resilience after emergency recovery begins. Bless you all and stay safe!
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